湖南巡撫某公，遣州佐押解餉六十萬赴京。途中被雨，日暮愆程，無所投宿，遠見古剎，因詣棲止。天明，視所解金，蕩然無存。眾駭怪，莫可取咎。回白撫公，公以為妄，將置之法。及詰眾役，並無異詞。公責令仍反故處，緝察端緒。至廟前，見一瞽者，形貌奇異，自榜云：「能知心事。」因求卜筮。瞽曰：「是為失金者。」州佐曰：「然。因訴前苦。瞽者便索肩輿，云：「但從我去，當自知。」遂如其言，官役皆從之。瞽曰：「東」。東之。瞽曰：「北。」北之。凡五日，入深山，忽睹城郭，居人輻輳。入城，走移時，瞽曰：「止。」因下輿，以手南指：「見有高門西向，可款關自問之。」拱手自去。州佐如其教，果見高門，漸入之。一人出，衣冠漢制，不言姓名。州佐述所自來，其人云：「請留數日，當與君謁當事者。」遂導去，令獨居一所，給以食飲。暇時閒步，至第後，見一園亭，入涉之。老松翳日，細草如氈。數轉廊榭，又一高亭，歷階而入，見壁上挂人皮數張，五官俱備，腥氣流熏。不覺毛骨森豎，疾退歸舍。自分留鞹異域，已無生望，因念進退一死，亦姑聽之。明日，衣冠者召之去，曰：「今日可見矣。」州佐唯唯。衣冠者乘怒馬甚駛，州佐步馳從之。俄，至一轅門，儼如制府衙署，皂衣人羅列左右，規模凜肅。衣冠者下馬，導入。又一重門，見有王者，珠冠繡紱，南面坐。州佐趨上，伏謁。王者問：「汝湖南解官耶？」州佐諾。王者曰：「銀俱在此。是區區者，汝撫軍即慨然見贈，未為不可。」州佐泣訴：「限期已滿，歸必就刑，稟白何所申證？」王者曰：「此即不難。」遂付以巨函云：「以此復之，可保無恙。」又遣力士送之。州佐慴息，不敢辨，受函而返。山川道路，悉非來時所經。既出山，送者乃去。數日，抵長沙，敬白撫公。公益妄之，怒不容辨，命左右者飛索以䌈。州佐解襆出函，公拆視未竟，面如灰土。命釋其縛，但云：「銀亦細事，汝姑出。」於是急檄屬官，設法補解訖。數日，公疾，尋卒。先是，公與愛姬共寢，既醒，而姬髮盡失。闔署驚怪，莫測其由。蓋函中即其髮也。外有書云：「汝自起家守令，位極人臣。賕賂貪婪，不可悉數。前銀六十萬，業已驗收在庫。當自發貪囊，補充舊額。解官無罪，不得加譴責。前取姬髮，略示微警。如復不遵教令，旦晚取汝首領。姬髮附還，以作明信。」公卒後，家人始傳其書。後屬員遣人尋其處，則皆重岩絕壑，更無徑路矣。
湖南有一位巡撫，派一名州佐押送六十萬兩餉銀到京城。途中遇上雨，耽誤了行程，到了傍晚還找不到住宿的地方。他們遠遠看見一座古寺，便過去過夜。天亮後，檢視押送的銀子，竟然全都不見了。眾人又驚又疑，卻找不出該由誰負責。他們回去稟告巡撫，巡撫認為他們在說謊，要依法懲辦州佐。可等他審問隨行的差役，大家的說法完全一致。巡撫便責令州佐仍回原處，查詢線索。州佐來到寺廟前，看見一個相貌奇異的盲人，自己掛著一塊招牌，上面寫著：「能知道別人心裡的事。」州佐便請他占卜。盲人說：「你是為了丟失銀子的事來的。」州佐說：「是。」接著訴說了先前的苦處。盲人便要了一頂轎子，說：「只管跟著我走，你自然會明白。」州佐照他說的辦了，自己和差役都跟著他。盲人說：「向東。」他們就向東走。盲人說：「向北。」他們就向北走。這樣走了五天，進入深山，忽然看見一座城池，人來人往，十分熱鬧。他們進城，又走了一會兒，盲人說：「停下。」隨後下了轎子，伸手向南指著說：「那裡有一座朝西的大門，你可以去敲門，自己問一問。」說完拱手告別，獨自走了。州佐照他的指點，果然看見一座高大的門，便慢慢走了進去。有個人出來，穿戴著漢人樣式的衣冠，沒有說自己的姓名。州佐說明來意，那人說：「請在這裡住幾天，我會帶你去見主事的人。」於是領他到一處地方，讓他獨自住下，供給飲食。州佐閒來無事，四處散步，走到宅院後面，看見一座園林，裡面有亭子，便進去遊覽。古松遮住陽光，細草像氈毯一樣鋪在地上。他沿著走廊亭榭轉了幾回，又看見一座高亭，登上臺階走進去，見牆上掛著幾張人皮，五官都完整無缺，散發出陣陣腥氣。他不禁毛骨悚然，趕緊退回住處。他覺得自己也要被剝下皮，留在這異鄉，已經沒有活著回去的希望，又想到進退都是一死，也只好聽任擺佈。第二天，那個穿戴衣冠的人叫他過去，說：「今天可以見了。」州佐連聲答應。那人騎著一匹烈馬，跑得很快，州佐在後面徒步奔跑，緊緊跟著。不一會兒，來到一座衙門大門前，儼然像總督的衙署，穿黑衣的人排列在左右，整個場面莊嚴肅穆。那人下馬，領他進去。又過了一道門，只見一位王戴著珠冠，穿著繡有花紋的禮服，面朝南坐著。州佐快步上前，伏地拜見。王問：「你是湖南押送餉銀的官員嗎？」州佐回答說是。王說：「銀子全在這裡。這麼一點錢，你們巡撫慷慨地送給我，也未嘗不可。」州佐哭著訴說：「押送的期限已經過了，我回去一定會被處死。我向他稟報，又拿什麼作憑證呢？」王說：「這不難。」隨後交給他一個大匣子，說：「拿這個去回覆他，可以保你平安無事。」又派了一個力士送他回去。州佐嚇得屏住呼吸，不敢爭辯，接過匣子便回去了。一路所經過的山川道路，都不是來時走過的。出了山，送他的人才離開。幾天後，州佐到了長沙，恭敬地向巡撫稟報。巡撫越發認為他胡說，怒氣衝衝，不容他解釋，命身邊的人趕快拿繩子把他捆起來。州佐解開包袱，取出匣子。巡撫打開，還沒有看完，臉色已經像死灰一樣。他命人解開州佐的繩索，只說：「銀子也是小事，你先出去吧。」隨後急忙發文給下屬官員，設法補足銀子，重新押送到京城。過了幾天，巡撫病倒，不久就死了。在這件事之前，巡撫曾和寵愛的妾一起睡覺，醒來後，那妾的頭髮竟然全沒了。整個衙署的人都又驚又疑，不明白緣故。原來匣子裡裝的正是她的頭髮，另外還有一封信，寫道：「你從擔任知府、知縣起家，一直做到臣子所能達到的最高地位。你收受賄賂，貪得無厭，罪行多得數不清。先前那六十萬兩銀子，已經查驗收入庫中。你應當拿出自己貪汙的錢，補足原來的數額。押送的官員沒有罪，不得責罰。先前取走你寵妾的頭髮，只是略加警告。你若再不遵從命令，隨時就會取下你的腦袋。寵妾的頭髮一併送還，作為確實的憑證。」巡撫死後，他的家人才把這封信傳了出來。後來，下屬官員派人尋找那個地方，卻只見重重峭壁和深不見底的山谷，再也找不到通往那裡的路了。
湖南巡抚某公，遣州佐押解饷六十万赴京。途中被雨，日暮愆程，无所投宿，远见古刹，因诣栖止。天明，视所解金，荡然无存。众骇怪，莫可取咎。回白抚公，公以为妄，将置之法。及诘众役，并无异词。公责令仍反故处，缉察端绪。至庙前，见一瞽者，形貌奇异，自榜云：「能知心事。」因求卜筮。瞽曰：「是为失金者。」州佐曰：「然。因诉前苦。瞽者便索肩舆，云：「但从我去，当自知。」遂如其言，官役皆从之。瞽曰：「东」。东之。瞽曰：「北。」北之。凡五日，入深山，忽睹城郭，居人辐辏。入城，走移时，瞽曰：「止。」因下舆，以手南指：「见有高门西向，可款关自问之。」拱手自去。州佐如其教，果见高门，渐入之。一人出，衣冠汉制，不言姓名。州佐述所自来，其人云：「请留数日，当与君谒当事者。」遂导去，令独居一所，给以食饮。暇时闲步，至第后，见一园亭，入涉之。老松翳日，细草如毡。数转廊榭，又一高亭，历阶而入，见壁上挂人皮数张，五官俱备，腥气流熏。不觉毛骨森竖，疾退归舍。自分留鞹异域，已无生望，因念进退一死，亦姑听之。明日，衣冠者召之去，曰：「今日可见矣。」州佐唯唯。衣冠者乘怒马甚驶，州佐步驰从之。俄，至一辕门，俨如制府衙署，皂衣人罗列左右，规模凛肃。衣冠者下马，导入。又一重门，见有王者，珠冠绣绂，南面坐。州佐趋上，伏谒。王者问：「汝湖南解官耶？」州佐诺。王者曰：「银俱在此。是区区者，汝抚军即慨然见赠，未为不可。」州佐泣诉：「限期已满，归必就刑，禀白何所申证？」王者曰：「此即不难。」遂付以巨函云：「以此复之，可保无恙。」又遣力士送之。州佐慴息，不敢辨，受函而返。山川道路，悉非来时所经。既出山，送者乃去。数日，抵长沙，敬白抚公。公益妄之，怒不容辨，命左右者飞索以䌈。州佐解襆出函，公拆视未竟，面如灰土。命释其缚，但云：「银亦细事，汝姑出。」于是急檄属官，设法补解讫。数日，公疾，寻卒。先是，公与爱姬共寝，既醒，而姬发尽失。阖署惊怪，莫测其由。盖函中即其发也。外有书云：「汝自起家守令，位极人臣。赇赂贪婪，不可悉数。前银六十万，业已验收在库。当自发贪囊，补充旧额。解官无罪，不得加谴责。前取姬发，略示微警。如复不遵教令，旦晚取汝首领。姬发附还，以作明信。」公卒后，家人始传其书。后属员遣人寻其处，则皆重岩绝壑，更无径路矣。
湖南有一位巡抚，派一名州佐押送六十万两饷银到京城。途中遇上雨，耽误了行程，到了傍晚还找不到住宿的地方。他们远远看见一座古寺，便过去过夜。天亮后，查看押送的银子，竟然全都不见了。众人又惊又疑，却找不出该由谁负责。他们回去禀告巡抚，巡抚认为他们在说谎，要依法惩办州佐。可等他审问随行的差役，大家的说法完全一致。巡抚便责令州佐仍回原处，查找线索。州佐来到寺庙前，看见一个相貌奇异的盲人，自己挂着一块招牌，上面写着：“能知道别人心里的事。”州佐便请他占卜。盲人说：“你是为了丢失银子的事来的。”州佐说：“是。”接着诉说了先前的苦处。盲人便要了一顶轿子，说：“只管跟着我走，你自然会明白。”州佐照他说的办了，自己和差役都跟着他。盲人说：“向东。”他们就向东走。盲人说：“向北。”他们就向北走。这样走了五天，进入深山，忽然看见一座城池，人来人往，十分热闹。他们进城，又走了一会儿，盲人说：“停下。”随后下了轿子，伸手向南指着说：“那里有一座朝西的大门，你可以去敲门，自己问一问。”说完拱手告别，独自走了。州佐照他的指点，果然看见一座高大的门，便慢慢走了进去。有个人出来，穿戴着汉人样式的衣冠，没有说自己的姓名。州佐说明来意，那人说：“请在这里住几天，我会带你去见主事的人。”于是领他到一处地方，让他独自住下，供给饮食。州佐闲来无事，四处散步，走到宅院后面，看见一座园林，里面有亭子，便进去游览。古松遮住阳光，细草像毡毯一样铺在地上。他沿着走廊亭榭转了几回，又看见一座高亭，登上台阶走进去，见墙上挂着几张人皮，五官都完整无缺，散发出阵阵腥气。他不禁毛骨悚然，赶紧退回住处。他觉得自己也要被剥下皮，留在这异乡，已经没有活着回去的希望，又想到进退都是一死，也只好听任摆布。第二天，那个穿戴衣冠的人叫他过去，说：“今天可以见了。”州佐连声答应。那人骑着一匹烈马，跑得很快，州佐在后面徒步奔跑，紧紧跟着。不一会儿，来到一座衙门大门前，俨然像总督的衙署，穿黑衣的人排列在左右，整个场面庄严肃穆。那人下马，领他进去。又过了一道门，只见一位王戴着珠冠，穿着绣有花纹的礼服，面朝南坐着。州佐快步上前，伏地拜见。王问：“你是湖南押送饷银的官员吗？”州佐回答说是。王说：“银子全在这里。这么一点钱，你们巡抚慷慨地送给我，也未尝不可。”州佐哭着诉说：“押送的期限已经过了，我回去一定会被处死。我向他禀报，又拿什么作凭证呢？”王说：“这不难。”随后交给他一个大匣子，说：“拿这个去回复他，可以保你平安无事。”又派了一个力士送他回去。州佐吓得屏住呼吸，不敢争辩，接过匣子便回去了。一路所经过的山川道路，都不是来时走过的。出了山，送他的人才离开。几天后，州佐到了长沙，恭敬地向巡抚禀报。巡抚越发认为他胡说，怒气冲冲，不容他解释，命身边的人赶快拿绳子把他捆起来。州佐解开包袱，取出匣子。巡抚打开，还没有看完，脸色已经像死灰一样。他命人解开州佐的绳索，只说：“银子也是小事，你先出去吧。”随后急忙发文给下属官员，设法补足银子，重新押送到京城。过了几天，巡抚病倒，不久就死了。在这件事之前，巡抚曾和宠爱的妾一起睡觉，醒来后，那妾的头发竟然全没了。整个衙署的人都又惊又疑，不明白缘故。原来匣子里装的正是她的头发，另外还有一封信，写道：“你从担任知府、知县起家，一直做到臣子所能达到的最高地位。你收受贿赂，贪得无厌，罪行多得数不清。先前那六十万两银子，已经查验收入库中。你应当拿出自己贪污的钱，补足原来的数额。押送的官员没有罪，不得责罚。先前取走你宠妾的头发，只是略加警告。你若再不遵从命令，随时就会取下你的脑袋。宠妾的头发一并送还，作为确实的凭证。”巡抚死后，他的家人才把这封信传了出来。后来，下属官员派人寻找那个地方，却只见重重峭壁和深不见底的山谷，再也找不到通往那里的路了。
A certain governor of Hunan sent a deputy magistrate to escort six hundred thousand taels of revenue silver to the capital. On the way they were caught in the rain and fell behind, and night came on with nowhere to lodge. Seeing an old temple in the distance, they went to it and stopped there. At daybreak they looked at the silver in their charge: every bit of it was gone. All of them were horrified and baffled, but there was no one to blame. They went back and reported to the governor. He thought the story a lie and was going to have the deputy punished under the law. But when he questioned the runners, none of their accounts differed. The governor ordered the deputy back to the place to search for clues. In front of the temple he saw a blind man of strange appearance, with a sign that said: “I can read what is in your heart.” So he asked for a divination. “You are the one who lost the silver,” said the blind man. “I am,” said the deputy, and told him all his troubles. The blind man asked for a sedan chair. “Just come with me and you’ll see for yourself.” They did as he said, the deputy and the runners all following him. “East,” said the blind man, and they went east. “North,” and they went north. After five days they entered deep mountains, and suddenly saw a walled city, its streets thronged with people. They entered the city and went on for a while. “Stop,” said the blind man. He got down from the chair and pointed south. “You’ll see a tall gate facing west. Knock and ask for yourself.” He bowed with joined hands and went off on his own. The deputy did as he was told, and there was the tall gate. He made his way in by degrees. A man came out, dressed in the robes and cap of the Han, who did not give his name. The deputy explained where he had come from. “Please stay a few days,” said the man. “I will take you to see the one in charge.” He led him away and lodged him in a place by himself, and gave him food and drink. With time on his hands, the deputy strolled about and came behind the mansion to a garden with pavilions. He went in to look around. Old pines shut out the sun, and the fine grass was like felt. After several turns through corridors and terraces there was another tall pavilion. He climbed the steps and went in, and saw several human skins hanging on the wall, every feature complete, giving off a reek of blood. His hair stood on end, and he backed out quickly to his room. He reckoned his hide would be left in this strange land, and he had no hope of living. But since he would die whether he went forward or back, he resigned himself to whatever came. Next day the man in the robes and cap summoned him. “Today you may have your audience.” The deputy said yes, yes. The man rode off on a spirited horse at a great pace, and the deputy ran on foot to keep up. Soon they came to a yamen gate, just like the offices of a viceroy, with men in black lined up on either side, the whole place stern and awesome. The man dismounted and led him in. Through another gate he saw a king in a pearl crown and embroidered sash, seated facing south. The deputy hurried forward and prostrated himself. “Are you the officer escorting silver from Hunan?” asked the king. The deputy said he was. “The silver is all here,” said the king. “A trifle like this — if your governor were to make me a generous present of it, that would be no bad thing.” The deputy wept. “My time is up. When I go back I’ll surely be executed. What proof can I give in my report?” “That is easily done,” said the king. He handed him a large envelope. “Answer him with this, and you will come to no harm.” And he sent a strongman to escort him. The deputy held his breath in terror and dared not argue; he took the envelope and went back. The mountains, rivers and roads were none of those they had come by. Once they were out of the mountains, the escort left. Some days later he reached Changsha and respectfully reported to the governor. The governor thought it more of a lie than ever, and in a rage would not let him explain; he ordered his men to fetch ropes at once and tie him up. The deputy undid his bundle and brought out the envelope. Before the governor had finished looking inside, his face turned the colour of ashes. He had the deputy untied and said only, “The silver is a small matter. You may go for now.” Then he sent urgent orders to his subordinates to find the means to make up the sum and send it on, and it was done. A few days later the governor fell ill, and soon died. Some time before, the governor had gone to bed with his favourite concubine, and when they woke all her hair was gone. The whole yamen was alarmed and baffled, and no one could guess how it had happened. The envelope, it seems, held her hair. With it was a letter: “You began as a prefect and a county magistrate and rose to the highest rank a subject can reach. Your bribes and your greed are past counting. The six hundred thousand in silver has already been checked and received into our treasury. You will open your own greedy purse to make up the original sum. The escorting officer is not to blame; you are not to punish him. Taking your concubine’s hair was a small warning. If you disobey our commands again, we will take your head, morning or evening. The hair is returned herewith as proof.” Only after the governor died did his household let the letter be known. Later his subordinates sent men to look for the place, but there was nothing but towering cliffs and sheer gorges, and no path at all.